August 5, 2001

Northwest NICET Newsletter
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Volume 1 Issue 6 8-5-2001
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News for Fire Protection Engineering Technicians
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Contents:
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- News
- Tech Tips
- Class Schedule
- Administrivia
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NEWS
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We're back from a brief respite at Olallie Lake where one of my daughters
showed us how to properly catch a 5.5lb 26" Rainbow Trout!
ORAFAA
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Larry Tate disseminated the very first issue of the ORAFAA newsletter via
email on 7-30-01. I haven't had a chance to read the 9 pages yet, but I'm
looking forward to it. If you are interested in participating in the
re-birth of ORAFAA, contact Larry at larry@nwfire.com
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TECH TIPS
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The Engineering Team
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The NICET triangle logo represents, as I understand it, the three members of
the engineering team:
- Engineer
- Craftsperson
- Engineering technician
The engineer has the holistic responsibility to ensure the fire alarm
system, for example, meets the minimum performance requirements set by the
AHJ and property owner (or their property owner's representative i.e.
architect). Once the performance requirements are met, the engineer
specifies the products and installation methods required to meet the
performance requirements. An engineer is licensed by the state the work is
performed in.
The craftsperson, most often an electrician or technician, is responsible
for the proper installation of the fire alarm system once it has been
designed using relevant codes and standards to ensure the finished product
will meet the original performance requirements. The craftsperson uses a
copy of the contract drawing, otherwise known as the shop drawing, to record
the actual location of wire runs and devices as they are installed. Once the
shop drawings begin to be marked up with red pencil, they become as-built
drawings. Once the job is complete, the marked-up drawings are delivered to
the architect or draftsperson such that they can turn the original contract
drawings into record drawings. Electricians or technicians may be licensed
by the state, county, or municipality the work is performed in.
The engineering technician is generally a journey level electrician or
technician whom has had their job knowledge and work experience certified by
an independent organization such as NICET. This person often works with the
engineer to design the fire alarm system and may even create the drawings.
In addition, the engineering technician may be the project manager
supervising the installation, testing, and documentation of the job.
Admittedly, this is a thumbnail sketch of reality, which may or may not
accurately reflect the way things happen in your fiefdom.
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CLASS SCHEDULE
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The Washington Burglar and Fire Alarm Association
http://www.washingtonbfaa.org is sponsoring a 16-hour Saturday Seminar(r) in
Redmond, WA in August:
--> 8-11-2001 9am - 5pm NICET Certification and Level I Element Review
--> 8-18-2001 9am - 5pm Level II Element Review
Contact Howard Richardson 206-236-4025 to register.
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Clackamas Community College is sponsoring a 16-hour weekday evening seminar
in September:
--> 9-10-2001 6pm - 10pm NICET Certification application process
--> 9-12-2001 6pm - 10pm Fire Alarm Systems Level I Element Review
--> 9-17-2001 6pm - 10pm Fire Alarm Systems Level II Element Review part 1
--> 9-19-2001 6pm - 10pm Fire Alarm Systems Level II Element Review part 2
Call 503-657-0135 to register.
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ADMINISTRIVIA
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Send your contributions, suggestions, comments, and questions to -->
TheBakerGroup@home.com
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Good luck and have fun!
Mike http://go.to/baker
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Copyright (c) 2001 Michael B. Baker all rights reserved